Retired Hutter Construction exec to be honored with ethics award

Gary Bertram, a retired executive of Hutter Construction, of New Ipswich, was named the recipient of the 22nd annual New Hampshire Construction Industry Ethics Award and will be honored June 21 at the AGC Safety Awards Dinner at The Derryfield Country Club in Manchester.

A Chicago native who grew up in Michigan, Bertram earned an associate degree in technology from Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Mich.

After graduation, he moved to New Hampshire in 1972, spending six years doing structural steel detailing and estimating for Seppala and Aho Construction.

In 1978, Bertram joined Hutter Construction, signing on as a laborer and quickly moving up to assistant project manager.

He was named vice president in 1985, and continued his rise over the next 30 years, serving as executive vice president (1990), president (2000) and executive vice president (2008).

Bertram retired in 2015 after 36 years with the company. During the majority of that time he oversaw the project management and estimating staff, and handled preconstruction services for all of Hutter’s projects.

“He is the epitome of honesty, integrity and professional standards,” said Bill Norton, president of Norton Asset Management, who has known Bertram since Gary’s Seppala and Aho days.

“In hundreds of meetings, I have never seen him lose his temper or his professionalism.”

In addition to a plaque, the award carries with it a $1,000 donation to the recipient’s charity of choice. Bertram has requested the donation be split between Teen Challenge New England, which helps addicts and their families, and the American Heart Association.

The New Hampshire Construction Industry Ethics Award was established and is underwritten by David W. Wood, a former nationally recognized writer, publisher and marketing consultant specializing in the construction industry.